Which do you prefer? A fighter/thief multiclass, or a Swashbuckler, and why?

Swashbuckler, just because I don't like the multiclassing and dualclassing aspect of Baldur's Gate 2. IMHO that's for the people who can't choose between classes, and that (again, in my eyes) is what makes BG2 so diverse.

F/T has backstab and fighter HLAs

swashies are more 'characterful' (imo)

Swashies are purebred theives from the perspective of skills. They're a little better than normal thieves in combat, at the expense of backstabbing.

OTOH, Fighter-thieves (multiclass) are halfbreeds. As thieves, they'll only be about half as effective, skill-wise, since they'll only be leveling up about half as fast. OTOH, they will be able to backstab, will be able to wear heavier armors, shields and helmets, will be able to take 2 weapon prof points in any weapon. (Swashies can only take 2 points in thief's melee weapons.)


I think that if you are trying to decide on a PC, you have to ask yourself what you're looking for. If you want a character that's very strong in the thieving skills, go for the swashy. If you're looking for an even more combat oriented thief and can accept the tradeoff of some skills, then perhaps the F/T is for you.

I've played a couple of swashies all the way through SoA and ToB with great success. They can be very fun to play. And if you like traps, you can be one bad ass trap layer.

I have an unrelated question about the Set Traps skill: is there any point in raising yourself above 100?

solace: I don't think so.

As for swashbucklers vs. multiclass F/Ts, I prefer the multiclass. It can backstab and can Specialise in all weapons, not just melee. Also they get those Fighter HLAs... ;)

I don't see their lower amount of skill points as a problem because by the start of BG2 with a decent enough DEX you are high enough level to have 100 in Open Locks and Find Traps anyway.

i don't think so no (because there aren't modifiers working against you like the other skills)

I like the swashbuckler. I think i can make the swashbuckler sound almost invincable***SPOILERS***
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I have one, a low level, and he has -7 AC, 9 and 6 thac0, and killed 5 amnish centruians easyly. They do become some NICE fighters, becuase of their super-low AC. Their thac0 is fiarly nice aswell, once they get "Use all Items" they get incredible. They can have around -15 AC, with studded leathers; when they get UAI they can wear platemails. Even more defence. They can also then duel Weild Crom Faeyer(spelling)(although, they might be able to anyway) with FoA +3, or better. At high levels, their AC leaves the fighter/theifs behind. F/T's can use platemail anyway, but then can't use theiving abilities, and can't backstab. Swashbuckler's don't need to backstab, they're strong enough anyway, to get away with wearing full plate. They might struggle against mages, but with UAI you can use bows, attack from afar with Arrows of Dispelling, then Arrows of biting. Beleive me, use a swash right and they're incredible.

[ 01-04-2005, 01:16 PM: Message edited by: TheGodThatFailed ]

But can Swashbucklers use Thieving skills while wearing Plate-Mail (Use Any Item Ability)??

TBH, i don't remember. I think so, although my blade couldn't pickpocket with it. But the point is, he becomes such a formidable fighter, he doesn't *need* theiving skills, which allows him to mince around with his AC and thac0 grounded.

[ 01-04-2005, 03:41 PM: Message edited by: TheGodThatFailed ]

Yeah, but whats the point in being a Swashbuckler if not for the thieving skills? That, and a better AC, are really what make it a valid choice instead of a Fighter/Thief. I'm currently playing an Elf Fighter/Thief, and though I have the ability to wear armor heavier than studded leather, I don't, because it cancels out my thieving abilities. If I wanted to be a straight tank, I'd be a fighter or something. Being able to Hide in Shadows might not be as useful for the Swashbuckler because they don't backstab, but what about detecting traps and pickpocketing and such? And Stealth is extremely useful even if you aren't backstabbing...its like instantly making yourself invisible. The only advantage I see in having a Plate-Mail wearing Swashbuckler would be the unbelievable AC...

Unbeleiveable AC, thac0, saves, at high levels, the swashbuckler DEYSTROYS the fighter, imo. I've solo'd both, and the swashbuckler was much stronger than the figher in combat - and even if you do need to sneak around to scout (i doubt it, you can cut up anything in your path easy) then you take off said platemail, see what's ahead, go back, put it back on, and run in screaming.

These comparisons fail to take into consideration the difficulty level. If you play on Core and below then Swashie could be a better choice. But on Insane where you HAVE to take some damage now and then (especially since Swashie cannot backstab and finish the fights faster) F/T is a much better choice. One is backstab and the other is certain HLA that takes away 40% of physical damage.

This is similar to that comparison of Haer'Dalis and Korgan. Sure, Korgan is a great fighter, but when he has to take a couple of hits on insane - for example that he has to fight the 6 golems in Ust Natha for the eggs of the dragon, he is toast. And Haer takes 0 damage. (Stoneskin, PFMW, ...) :D

i play on insane, and in my experiance, my swash was much stronger by the end. If you wish to dis-agree, be my guest, but i still think the swashbuckler is better.